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MECC 263/11 Friday, 24 June 2011

Army celebrates leadership

The distinguished leader of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie AC DSM CSM officially handed over the command of the Army at a parade in Canberra today.

After 43 years of service including peacekeeping roles in East Timor and the Solomon Islands and combat and training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Gillespie handed over the reigns of command to Lieutenant General David Morrison AO.

Host of the parade and Deputy Chief of Army, Major-General Paul Symon thanked and farewelled Lieutenant General Gillespie on behalf of the Army.

“Lieutenant General Gillespie’s care for Army and its people was absolute,” Major-General Symon said.

Lieutenant General Gillespie expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, friends and family for keeping his feet on the ground during his illustrious career after joining the Army at the young age of 15 as an apprentice.

“As I hand over command of this wonderful institution, I want to say that it has been an honour serving with you and a unique privilege to lead the talented men and women, military and civilian, of the Army,” said Lieutenant General Gillespie.

“I have no doubt at all, that we do have the best small Army in the world, we enjoy great international standing and respect.”

Lieutenant General Gillespie’s successor, Lieutenant General Morrison brings wide ranging command experience, having served as the Head of Military Strategic Commitments and Deputy Chief of Army. Most recently he served as Army’s first Forces Commander.

The parade was attended by current Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston; the incoming Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley; Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs and New Zealand Chief of

Defence Force, Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones.

Imagery is available on the Department of Defence website at http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=20113160